Method and apparatus for cutting and taping a substrate and a product made by the method

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method for cutting and taping a substrate includes providing a substrate having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a perimeter. A first flexible joint is created in the substrate by making a first cut through the first side to the second side making first and second sections. A first length of tape is located along at least a portion the first cut to secure the sections together. A second flexible joint is created in the substrate by making a second cut through the first side to the second side. A second length of tape may connect the additional sections created by the second cut.

FIELD

The device relates to a method and apparatus for cutting and taping asubstrate and a product made by the method.

BACKGROUND

Mailing goods is a well-known way to have transport goods from onelocation to another. Of course, the mailing service, regardless ofwhether it is USPS, UPS, FedEx or any other carrier, charges a feeproportional to the size and weight of the package, and the locationfrom which it is shipped from to the location it is shipped to.

With the proliferation of package mailing in the recent past,competition among online service providers to mail consumers goods inthe most cost-effective manner has significantly increased.

Many goods, such as posters, pictures, samples, displays and/or wallhangings, are often rolled up and mailed in tubes or are put in largeenvelopes or boxes. Each of these shipping methods is relativelyexpensive, which drives up the cost to the consumer, or themanufacturer/supplier has to absorb the shipping cost.

In view of the disadvantages discussed above, it would be advantageousfor goods to be shipped in standard size mailing envelopes to reduceshipping costs and the cost of the shipping material.

It would also be advantageous for the goods to be located in a standardsize shipping envelope without comprising the integrity or appearance ofthe goods. Namely, to fit a large item in a standard size shippingenvelope, it must be folded, which often will damage or ruin pictures,posters, samples, displays or wall hangings with creases. It would beadvantageous for the item to be able to be folded in a manner that doesnot negatively affect the appearance of the item.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a method for cutting and taping a substrate includesproviding a substrate having a first side, a second side opposite thefirst side, and a perimeter. A first flexible joint is created in thesubstrate by making a first cut through the first side to the secondside making first and second sections. A first length of tape is locatedalong at least a portion the first cut to secure the sections together.A second flexible joint is created in the substrate by making a secondcut through the first side to the second side. A second length of tapemay connect the additional sections created by the second cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present method andapparatus, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description when considered in the light of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of one embodiment ofan apparatus for cutting and taping a substrate;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of avacuum table, a component of the apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of one embodiment of a carriagesystem for the vacuum table, a component of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of acutting blade system, a component of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of alocator bar, a component of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of atape assembly, a component of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of one embodiment of a tape pathto the tape assembly;

FIG. 8 depicts a substrate with parallel first and second taped cuts;

FIG. 9 depicts the substrate of FIG. 8 with a cut transverse to thefirst and second taped cuts;

FIG. 10 depicts a substrate with a taped cut that has also been slit;

FIG. 11A depicts one side of a substrate that has been cut and taped;

FIG. 11B depicts an opposite side of the substrate shown in FIG. 11Athat has been cut and taped;

FIG. 12A schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or the back of the substrate andoptional folding steps;

FIG. 12B schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate;

FIG. 12C schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate withadditional slits;

FIG. 12D schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate with anadditional slit;

FIG. 12E schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate with portionsthat are slit but not taped;

FIG. 12F schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate with a portionthat is cut but not taped;

FIG. 12G schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate with areashighlighted for fold over tubes; and

FIG. 12H schematically depicts another embodiment of a substrate withcut and tape lines for the front or back of the substrate with areashighlighted for fold over tubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the method and apparatus may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification are simply exemplaryembodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence,specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristicsrelating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus to cut, tape and fold an itemso that it can be shipped/mailed in an economical manner without havinga negative effect on the appearance or use of the item.

Despite reference to shipping/mailing, it can be appreciated that theitem does not have to be shipped/mailed at all. Instead, the method andapparatus disclosed herein can be used to result in an item that can becompactly stored or filed. Using the disclosed method and apparatus, theresulting item can be repeatedly folded and unfolded for storage or usewithout having a negative effect on the appearance or use of the item.

The method and apparatus may begin with a machine 20 that can cut andtape a substrate 22, one embodiment of which is schematically depictedin FIG. 1.

In the depicted embodiment, the machine 20 has a base frame 24. The baseframe 24 may be comprised of one more vertical legs 26 and one moresupports 28. The supports 28 may be attached to the legs 26, and thesupports 28 may be angled with respect to the legs 26. The legs 26extend from the supports 28 to the floor. The legs 26 may be adjustableso as to accommodate floor that is not level.

A vacuum table 30 may be connected to the base frame 24. Moreparticularly, the vacuum table 30 may be slidably connected to the baseframe 24. The slidable connection between the vacuum table 30 and thebase frame 24 may be effected through the following exemplarystructures.

In one embodiment, two rails 32 may be secured to the base frame 24. Therails 32 are secured parallel to a major axis 34 of the machine 20. Therails 32 may extend along the major axis 34 substantially the same asone another being in the same plane as one another and being the sameshape and length.

At least one glide plate 36 with bushings, bearings and/or rollers(hereinafter glides 38) mounted for selectively movement along the rails32 is provided. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, two glidesplates 38 are mounted on the rails 32 and secured to an underside of thevacuum table 30.

The glides 38 are mounted beneath the glide plates 36. The glides 38 arein contact with, such as at least partially surround, the rails 32. Theglides 38 facilitate selective movement of the glide plates 36, and thusthe vacuum table 30, along the stationary rails 32.

An upper surface 40 of the glide plate 36 is attached to a lower surface42 of the vacuum table 30 so that the two move as one unit.

The glide plate 36 and/or the vacuum table 30 are connected to a beltslide assembly 44. One embodiment of the belt slide assembly 44 is shownin FIGS. 1 and 3. The belt slide assembly 44 comprises a motor 46, adrive belt 48 and a belt plate 50. The belt plate 50 is fixedlyconnected to the drive belt 48 so that they move together. In oneembodiment, the belt plate 50 may be located above the drive belt 48.

The drive belt 48 may be such as a continuous loop chain or belt. Themotor 46 is located within the loop and is capable of forward or reverserotation to drive the belt 48, and thus the belt plate 50, in in eitherdirection along the major axis 34. The drive belt 48, and thus the beltplate 50, selectively move in a single plane that is parallel the majoraxis 34.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the vacuum table 30 isdepicted. The vacuum table 30 may be a substantially planar table with alower frame assembly 52, vacuum plates 54, side plates 56 and at leastone removable leaf plate 58. It is the lower frame assembly 52 that ispreferably attached to the belt plate 50 and the glide plates 36.

The vacuum plates 54, the side plates 56 and the at least one removableleaf plate 58 may all be selectively detachable from the lower frameassembly 52. By being detachable any combination of plates and any sizeof the plates may be used to accommodate any size of the size of thesubstrate 22.

In the depicted embodiment, the vacuum plates 54 and the at least oneremovable leaf plate 58 are sandwiched between the side plates 56. Theside plates 56 may be substantially planar and solid. They are designedprimarily as support surfaces or structures to bound the leaf 58 andvacuum plates 54.

The vacuum plates 54 may have a plurality of apertures 60, or slits,that extend through the plates 54. Beneath the plates 54, the aperturesor slits 60 are connected to at least one vacuum source 62. The number,location, shape and size of the apertures/slits 60 is dependent upon thesize, shape and weight of the substrate 22, as well as the desiredsuction forced desired to maintain the substrate 22 in a selectivelysecure location on the vacuum table 30 during the cutting and tapingprocess described below. If the substrate 22 is permitted to move duringthe cutting or taping process, it may result in an inaccurate cut ortaping location.

As shown in FIG. 2, the leaf plates 58 may have different widths fromone another. By selecting the vacuum plates 54 needed for a particularsubstrate 22, one can then fill in the gap between the vacuum plates 54and the side plates 56 by selecting correctly sized leaf plates 58.

Preferably, the side plates 56, the vacuum plates 54 and the leaf plates58 have the same length which gives the vacuum table 30 a uniformleading edge 64 and trailing edge 66.

A guide fence 68 may be selectively attached to the vacuum table 30. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 5, the guide fence 68 may beattached to the side plate 56 directly adjacent a vacuum plate 54. Inother words, an inside edge surface 70 of the guide fence 68 may be atthe intersection of the side plate 56 and the vacuum plate 54.

The inside edge surface 70 of the guide fence 68 may act as a stop forthe substrate 22 to be aligned and temporarily fixed against. The guidefence 68 thus acts as a locator for the substrate 22 and it helps totemporarily fix the substrate 22 in a predetermined location on thevacuum table 30.

A top edge fence 72 may be selectively attached to the guide fence 68.The top edge fence 72 may be slidably connected to the guide fence 68 sothat it can slide along the length of the guide fence 68. The top edgefence 72 may also be selectively secured to the guide fence 68 in aselected location, such as with a tightening screw.

The top edge fence 72 may be used to create an upper limit or boundaryfor the substrate 22. The top edge fence 72 may be located in directcontact with an upper edge surface (which will also be called a firstedge herein) 74 of the substrate 22. The top edge fence 72 thusfunctions to locate and secure the substrate 22 on the vacuum table 30.

While only a single guide fence 68 is depicted in FIG. 2, additionalguide fences and top edge fences are permissible. For example, it may bedesirable to have a guide fence and top edge fence on either side of thesubstrate 22. That is, a guide fence on either side of the vacuum plates54 so as to bound, or sandwich, the substrate 22 between them. And, topedge fences so as to provide an upper limit or boundary across at leasta portion of the upper edge surface 74 of the substrate 22.

Turning back to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a cutting and taping apparatus76 for the machine 20 is depicted. The apparatus 76 comprises two risers78. The two risers 78 are located across from one another. They may belocated on, or attached to, the base frame 24. The vacuum table 30 isdesigned to move between the two risers 78, which are fixed in theirlocation.

A support bar 80 spans between the two risers 78 and is fixed thereto.The support bar 80 extends above the vacuum table 30; the support bar 80extends primarily perpendicular to the direction of movement of thevacuum table 30 and the major axis 34 of the machine 20.

At least one taping device 82 is secured to the support bar 80, such aswith a mounting plate 84. The taping device 82 may comprises a source 86for tape 92, a tape path 88 and a plurality of rollers 90 in the tapepath 88 designed to tension and position the tape 90 for location thesubstrate 22, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Some of the rollers 90 may bepassive while others may be active. An active tape roller 90 may be onethat is powered, such as connected to a source for rotation which canchange the tension on the tape 92 and/or help to draw the tape 92 fromthe tape source 86. The taping device 82 may also be comprised of acutter 94 that can selectively cut the tape 92 after a predeterminedlength has been located on the substrate 22.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 shows two taping devices 82 spacedapart from one another on the support bar 80 and located above thevacuum table 30. A greater or fewer number of taping devices 82 can beused depending on the lengths of tape needed to be added to thesubstrate 22. It is also permissible for the taping devices 82 (whichmay include the cutter 94, rollers 90, etc.) to be connected to acontroller 96 for the machine 20 wherein the controller 96 signals anyof the connected taping devices 82 to tape or not tape for some or noneof a particular substrate 22. Thus, taping devices 82 can be turned onor off to apply or not apply tape 92 to all, part or none of aparticular substrate 22.

At least one cutter assembly 98 is also secured to the support bar 80and located above the vacuum table 30. In FIG. 1, two cutter assemblies98 are located on the two taping devices 82. As noted with the tapingdevices 82, however, a greater or fewer number of cutter assemblies 98may be used. In any case, the cutter assemblies 98 can be connected tothe controller 96 mentioned above so that the cutter assemblies 98 (orportion thereof) can be lowered or raised to cut all, part or none of aparticular substrate 22.

In the depicted embodiment in FIG. 4, the cutter assembly 98 may beconnected to the mounting plate 84 so that it extends forward of thetaping device 82. The extension forward of the taping device 82 may bemade by a bracket 100. A solenoid 102 may be connected to the bracket100 and the controller 96. The controller 96 signals the solenoid 102 toraise or lower a cutter 104 with respect to the vacuum table 30.

The cutter 104 may be such as a single fixed blade, as shown in FIG. 4,or it may be such as a rotary cutter, as shown in FIG. 1. The singlefixed blade may be axially and radially fixed to support bar 80.

One method of using the machine 20 will now be described. A substrate 22is initially provided. In one embodiment, the substrate 22 may be asingle sheet of material. The sheet of material may be paper, cardboard,plastic, wood, and/or metal. Preferably, only a single, discrete sheetis prepared one at a time in view of the taping step that must haveaccess to one of the surfaces of the substrate 22.

The substrate 22 may be of almost any size or shape. Preferably, thesubstrate 22 is a square or rectangular shape. In one exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the substrate 22 may be such as 28inches by 28 inches in length and width.

The substrate 22 may have a first side 106, a second side 108, oppositethe first side 106. The first side 106 may have pigment containingmaterial (not shown), such as ink, located thereon. The second side 108may be printed, or it may be blank. The substrate 22 may have aperimeter comprised of the first edge 74, a second edge 112 opposite thefirst edge 74, a third edge 114 and a fourth edge 116 opposite the thirdedge 114.

The substrate 22 is located onto the vacuum table 30 either manually orwith an automated machine. Preferably, to make locating the substrate 22on the vacuum table 30 easier, the vacuum table 30 may be translatedalong the major axis 34 by the belt slide assembly 44. As shown in FIG.1, the vacuum table 30 may be extended away from the support bar 80 inwhat may be referred to as a first position 118 of the vacuum table 30.

The machine 20 may have curtains 120 located about its perimeter toprotect the machine 20 and the prevent people or things from enteringthe operating area of the machine 20. About most of the perimeter of themachine 20, a physical plexiglass and metal curtain system 20 isprovided. One end of the machine may be provided with a light curtain122 so that the vacuum table 30 can enter and exit the machine 20 asneeded. When the vacuum table 30 is in the first position 118, it is atleast partially extended from the machine 20 perimeter. This enableschanging any of the vacuum table plates 54, 56, 58 and/or locating asubstrate 22 on the vacuum table 30 easier and safer.

The substrate 22 is preferably located on the vacuum table 30 with thefirst printed side 106 down. In other words, the first printed side 106is in direct facing contact with the vacuum table 30. The second side108 of the substrate 22 is facing up. In addition, the third edge 114 islocated in continuous and direct contact with the guide fence 48. Thefirst edge 74 is located in direct and continuous contact with the topedge fence 72.

The vacuum source 62 may be engaged to selectively fix the substrate 22to the vacuum table 30. Being so fixed, the substrate 22 is located insubstantially parallel orientation to the vacuum table 30. In otherwords, while the substrate 22 may be substantially planar, the suctiondraws the substrate 22 flat against the vacuum table 30 so as to removeany creases, wrinkles or bubbles in the substrate 22. Being in asubstantially planar orientation ensures that when the substrate 22 iscut and taped, it can be cut and taped cleanly and smoothly withoutcreases, wrinkles or bubbles changing the cut lines or the applicationof tape 92.

The vacuum table 30 is then moved from the first position 118, such asby engaging the motor 46 of the belt slide assembly 44, with thesubstrate 22 fixed thereon. The vacuum table 30 is drawn into themachine 20 along the major axis 34.

The cutter 104 makes initial contact with the first, or leading, edge 74of the substrate 22. The cutter 104 cuts through the leading edge 74,across an entire face 124 of the substrate 22 to the second opposite, ortrailing, edge 112 of the substrate 22. The first cut 126 is parallel tothe first and second edges 74, 112. This first cut 126, and anysubsequent cuts, extend through the substrate 22 from the first side 106through to the second side 108. It can be appreciated that the vacuumtable 30 moves in a perpendicular direction to the cutter 104 along asingle plane.

As noted above, if there are two or more cutters 104, the cutters 104may simultaneously cut the substrate 22. It is also possible that any ofthe cutters 104 are selectively radially movable and have been raised soas not to cut the substrate 22 during this step.

As can be appreciated from the figures, the taping device 82 ispositioned axially directly behind the cutter 104. The taping device 82is designed to tape the cut (such as the first cut 126) in the substrate22 that the cutter 104 just made. The taping device 82 applies a firstlength of tape 128 along the first cut 126 in this first cutting andtaping pass. The first length of tape 128 may extend continuously fromthe first edge 74 across the entire face 124 of the substrate 22 to thesecond edge 112. It can be appreciated that only the second side 108 ofthe substrate 22 receives the tape 92/128.

Based on the above, it can be appreciate that a first portion 130 of thefirst length 128 of tape 92 is applied to a first portion 132 of thefirst cut 126 before the first cut 126 reaches the third edge 114. Inother words, before the cutter 104 reaches the third edge 114, tape 92has already been applied to the first cut 126.

The first length of tape 128 has a center section 134 that is locatedover the first cut 126. The first length of tape 128 also has tape edgesections 136 that are located on either side of the center section 134.The tape edge sections 136 are secured to the substrate 22.

The tape 92 preferably extends the length of the cut 126. The width ofthe tape 92, however, is less than the width of the substrate 22, andless than the width of any of the sections (described below). Thus, amajority of the second side 108 of the substrate 22 does not have tape92 on its surface while a minority of the second side 108 has the tape92 over the cut 126.

Again, as can be appreciated from the above if another cut is to be madein the substrate 22, a second taping device 140 may be positionedaxially directly behind a second cutter 142 so that it can apply asecond 140 length of tape 144 along the additional cut in the samemanner as described above, as shown in FIG. 8. It can also beappreciated these steps can be repeated depending on the number of cutsneeded in the substrate 22 during the first pass.

When the substrate 22 has been cut through the second, or trailing edge112, and the tape 92 has been applied to the cut 126, the vacuum table30 may have moved from the first position 118, along the major axis 34to a second position 146 in the machine 20, as shown in FIG. 1. Thevacuum table 30 with the cut and taped substrate 22 secured thereto maythen return to the first position 118.

The first cutting and taping pass divides the substrate 22 into at leastfirst and second sections when a single cutter is used. The first lengthof tape 128 flexibly secures the two sections together.

In the embodiment where two cutting blades 104, 142 are used in thefirst cutting and taping pass, the first and second cutting blades 104,142 cut the substrate 22 from the first edge 74, across the entire face124 of the substrate 22 to the opposite second edge 112 with the firstand second cutting blades 104, 142 dividing the substrate 22 into afirst section 148, a second section 150 and a third section 152. Theblades 104, 142 may be positioned so that the first, second and thirdsections 148, 150, 152 have an equal height but at least one section hasan unequal width. In this embodiment, the first and second sections 148,150 are taped to one another, and the second and third sections 150, 152are taped to one another.

One embodiment of a substrate with parallel first and second cuts, whichhave also been taped, is depicted in FIG. 8.

Back at the first position 118, the suction on the vacuum table 30 maybe reduced or turned off. With the suction reduced or removed, thesubstrate 22 can be turned on the vacuum table 30. Preferably, thesubstrate 22 is rotated 90 degrees on the table 30, as shown by thearrow in FIG. 1. The substrate 22 is located on the table 30 such thatthe third edge 114 is located in continuous and direct contact with thetop edge fence 72 and the second edge 112 is located in continuous anddirect contact with the guide fence 68.

The source of vacuum 62 may be engaged again so that suction selectivelydraws the rotated substrate to the vacuum table 30.

The vacuum table 30 with the rotated substrate 22 secured thereon ismoved from the first position 118 in a second cutting and taping pass sothat the cutter 104 makes the continuous second cut 138 from the thirdedge 114, across the entire face 124 of the substrate 22 to the fourthedge 116. A second length of tape 154 is located in a manner asdescribed above along the second cut 138 in the second cutting andtaping pass. Of course, if additional cuts are made that need to betaped during this second pass, those can be accomplished simultaneouslyas the second cut 138 is made and taped.

In one embodiment, during the second cutting and taping pass the firstcutter 94 blade cuts the substrate 22 while the second cutting blade 142is in a retracted position that does not cut the substrate 22. Thus,during the second cutting and taping pass the first, second and thirdsections 148, 150, 152 are divided in half, creating six sections 156,158, 160 as shown in FIG. 9. The second length of tape 154 flexiblysecures the six sections 148, 150, 152, 156, 158, 160 together. Thesecond cut 138 is parallel to the third and fourth edges 114, 116.

The vacuum table 30 with the cut and taped substrate 22 can then belocated in the first position 118. The vacuum can be disengaged and thecut and taped substrate 22 can be removed from the vacuum table 30.

The resulting product is a substrate 22 that has been cut and taped inat least two locations on the substrate 22. The cut and taped portionsform flexible joints in the substrate 22. When the substrate 22 islocated in a flat or planar orientation the joints are substantiallyinvisible. Thus, the printed image on the first side 106 of thesubstrate 22 remains visually intact.

The substrate 22 can be folded along the flexible joints to make it morecompact for transport, mailing or simply use. Namely, the flexiblejoints permit the substrate 22 to be folded such that only one sectionof interest is displayed and the other sections are folded behind it ina compact fashion. Such an embodiment is helpful for a map or chart sothat the entire map or chart does not have to be unfolded to be used.

It has also found to be advantageous that at least one of the sections148, 150, 152, 156, 158, 160 are not the same size as the others. By notbeing the same size, the sections can be almost directly abutting oneanother when they are taped and the sections to not catch on one anotherwhen they are folded at the joint line.

In yet another embodiment, the cutters 104, 142, individually ortogether, can create their respective cuts entirely through thesubstrate 22 as noted above. And, the cuts can be taped, also as notedabove. In this embodiment, the taped cuts can then be selectively slit.In other words, at least a portion of the tape over the cuts can beslit. The cutting of the taped cuts will be called slitting or a slit.

By way of one example only, one or more sections of tape over one ormore of the cuts may be slit. The slits do not extend the entire lengthof the taped cut. Instead, the slits only extend for a predeterminedlength of the taped cut.

As shown in FIG. 10, the taped cut may be divided into sections, such asthirds. It may be that a first third 162 of the taped cut is not slit, asecond third 164 of the taped cut is slit and a third third 166 of thetaped cut is not slit. The first and third third may bound the secondthird. While the above discusses dividing the taped cut into thirds,other divisions may be permissible. Typically, the divisions and theslits are related to how the substrate may be folded and the number ofsections in the substrate. In some cases, selective slitting of a tapedcut has been found to facilitate the subsequent folding of the substratealong the above-mentioned joints. This may be in part because the jointsprefer to bend in one direction and not a second opposite direction.When the joint is bent in the second opposite direction, that is where aslit may facilitate the folding process.

While FIG. 10 shoes a middle section of the taped cut that is slit,other combinations are permissible. With further reference to FIG. 10,either (or both) end section that bounds the middle section might beslit.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict another embodiment of the substrate 22. FIG.11A depicts one side 106 of the substrate 22 facing up. The side 106 inthis case may be such as the back, or rear, side of the substrate 22.The substrate 22 has been cut from a back side 170 to a front side 172using the apparatus and steps described above. This results in a back tofront cut 174. The cut 174 is a continuous cut extending entirelythrough the substrate 22. The cut 174 is taped also as described above.Preferably, a length of tape 176 extends continuously over the cut 174.FIG. 11A depicts the taped cut in one location, however, the taped cutmay be located in other areas.

FIG. 11B depicts the front side 172 of the substrate 22. Thus, from FIG.11A to FIG. 11B, the substrate has been flipped 80 degrees. A front toback cut 178 is made in the substrate 22. In other words, the substrate22 has been cut from the front side 172 to the back side 170 resultingin a continuous cut extending entirely through the substrate 22.

A length of tape 180 extends continuously over the cut 178. The tapelength 180, however, is preferably a transparent tape. The transparenttape permits any printed image or the like on the front side 172 to bereadily visible therethrough without blocking or distorting the image.

Transparent tape may be used in any of the embodiments identifiedherein. Further, the transparent tape may be applied to any or part of acut in the substrate on a printed side of the substrate.

It can be appreciated from the foregoing that two flexible joints arecreated in the substrate 22. The substrate 22 can be folded along theflexible joints to reduce the size of the substrate 22 from its originallarge size to a fraction of its original size.

The flexible joints prefer to be moved such that the side of the jointthat is not taped breaks or bends and creates the joint. By cutting andtaping one side 170 or 172 and then cutting an taping the opposite side170 or 172, two flexible joints are formed in the substrate 22 thatbreak/bend in opposite directions from one another. This permits thesubstrate 22 to be folded in various orientations resulting in a moreefficient and effective folding process and folded product.

Additional cuts and tape lengths as described above may be applied tothe substrate depending on the size of the substrate 22 and the numberof flexible joints.

With reference to the disclosure and the figures above, such as FIGS. 9and 10, any of the cut and taped portions can be slit in anycombination. In other words, the slit 168 shown in FIG. 10 can belocated anywhere along the tape lengths 128, 154. Further, slit 168 canbe located in one or more instances along tape length 128 and/or 154. Byselectively providing one or more slits the sections 148, 150, 152, 156,158 and/or 160 (or any other number of sections crated in the substrate)may be moved or folded more easily with respect to one another. Thus,the sections can be folded with respect to one another so that some orall of the sections are folded directly behind one another for easyviewing/handling of the selected sections or the above-mentioned storageor transport of the substrate.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the method andapparatus has been described in what is considered to represent itspreferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the method andapparatus can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustratedand described without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cut and taped substrate, comprising: a firstprinted side, a second side opposite the first side, and a perimeterdefined by a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a thirdedge and a fourth edge opposite the third edge, wherein said sides aresubstantially parallel one another; a first flexible joint, comprising:a first cut through said first printed side to said second side, saidfirst cut creating a first section and a second section; a first lengthof tape connecting first section and said second section on only saidsecond side; a second flexible joint, comprising: a second cut throughsaid first printed side to said second side, said second cut creating athird section and a fourth section, wherein said second cut istransverse said first cut; and a second length of tape connecting thethird section and the fourth section only on said second side.
 2. Thesubstrate of claim 1, wherein said first and second lengths of tape areas long as their respective sections, but not as wide as theirrespective sections.
 3. The substrate of claim 1, wherein said first andsecond sections are cut so that they are equal height but unequal width.4. The substrate of claim 1, wherein said first flexible jointintersects transversely with said first flexible joint.
 5. The substrateof claim 1, wherein a first cutting and taping pass creates said firstcut and applies said first length of tape while simultaneously creatinganother cut from said first edge to said second edge which is also tapedwhich creates three sections, and a second cutting and taping passcreates said second cut transverse to said first cut and applies saidsecond length of tape which creates six sections that are tapedtogether.
 6. The substrate of claim 5, wherein at least part of at leastone of the taped cuts are slit after being taped.
 7. A cut and tapedsubstrate, comprising: a first side, a second side opposite the firstside; a first flexible joint, comprising: a first cut through saidsecond side to said first side, said first cut creating a first sectionand a second section; a first length of tape applied to said second sideover said first cut, said first length of tape connecting said firstsection and said second section; wherein said first flexible joint foldsin a first direction; a second flexible joint, comprising: a second cutthrough said first side to said second side; and a second length of tapeapplied to said first side over said second cut; wherein said secondflexible joint folds in a second direction opposite said firstdirection.